WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
National - Draft 2011 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports now available; public invited to comment through Nov. 22 |
| NOAA Fisheries has reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock assessment reports in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and has revised them according to new information. NOAA Fisheries is now soliciting public comments on draft 2011 stock assessment reports. Comments must be received by November 22, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Northeast - NOAA approves omnibus Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measure amendment |
| NOAA recently approved the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's omnibus amendment to establish uniform procedures for setting annual catch limits and accountability measures. The fish species in the Mid-Atlantic affected by this proposed action include Atlantic mackerel, butterfish, Atlantic bluefish, spiny dogfish, summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, tilefish, Atlantic surfclam, and ocean quahog. Actual catch limits and accountability measures for each fish stock will be set within the respective fishery management plans for these stocks. This amendment is further demonstration that a corner has been turned towards having sustainable U.S. fisheries because now all required federally managed fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic will be operating under these measures to help rebuild and prevent overfishing of fish stocks. Read more |
Southeast – Dolphin check-up in the Gulf |
| NOAA scientists and partners recently completed a 15 day capture and release dolphin health assessment in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. The study, a part of the continuing Natural Resources Damage Assessment for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, gave scientists the ability to conduct a hands-on physical exam of individual dolphins to assess potential sub-lethal, chronic, and indirect health impacts of the spill. This study follows up on an initial pre-assessment phase of photo-identification and remote biopsy studies that documented the oil exposure of bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay. Read more |
Southeast - NOAA seeks public comment on proposed rule changes to the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Individual Fishing Quota Programs; comments due Sept. 16 |
| NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on proposed rule changes for the Gulf of Mexico reef fish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Programs. This rule would implement transferability measures for the red snapper IFQ program contained in Amendment 26 that are required to be effective January 1, 2012. This rule would also require all Gulf IFQ applicants and participants to certify their status as U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens to meet current Gulf IFQ program and Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements. Additionally, this rule would revise the codified text to remove outdated language specific to the Gulf IFQ programs. The intent of this rule is to specify the process for the general public to participate in the Gulf red snapper IFQ program and ensure efficient functioning of both IFQ programs in the Gulf of Mexico. Written comments on this proposed rule must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on September 16, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Alaska - NOAA and three global energy companies agree to share ocean, coastal and meteorological data for the Arctic |
| On August 23, 2011, NOAA, Shell Exploration & Production, ConocoPhillips, and Statoil USA E&P Inc. signed an agreement to enhance collaboration on ocean, coastal and climate science for the Arctic. The agreement calls for sharing a number of scientific data sets for this largely frontier region, including weather and ocean observations, biological information, and sea ice and sea floor mapping studies. This agreement provides a framework among the signatories to share high-quality data to enhance NOAA's ability to monitor climate change and provide useful products and services that inform responsible energy exploration activities in the region. Integrating these types of data could also provide a greater national capacity to effectively manage and respond to environmental disasters, such as hazardous spills, in an area where limited personnel and facilities exist. Read more |
Alaska - NOAA Fisheries team frees disentangled humpback calf near Juneau |
| Somewhere in the waters of Southeast Alaska, a humpback calf swims freely alongside its relieved mother—thanks to a long day of efforts by NOAA Fisheries large whale disentanglement team. The entanglement was first reported the morning of August 17 by a charter fishing vessel near Halibut Cove in Lynn Canal. A number of whale watching boats monitored the pair until the NOAA team arrived. Members of the team attached a transmitter to the calf as a safeguard against losing its location. They returned shortly after aboard the Auke Bay Lab's research boat, The Quest, to begin the disentanglement operation. The process was a bit tricky, as the mother humpback was very protective of her calf, and kept trying to position herself between the rescuers and the calf. After assessing which lines to cut that would allow for disentanglement, scientists severed those lines to successfully free the calf at about 8 p.m. just west of Berners Bay. The calf was still trailing a short section of line which was not considered life threatening, and was expected to drop without further intervention.The team continued to monitor the whale pair for about 30 minutes to make sure all was okay. The rescue operation took several hours. NOAA Fisheries asks fishers to help prevent entanglements by reducing unnecessary scope on pot gear, minimizing soak times, and removing gear that is not actively fishing. Read more |
Alaska - NOAA determines "orange goo" in Alaska's Kivalina village is fungal spores |
| The "orange goo" that washed ashore earlier this month in the remote Eskimo village of Kivalina along Alaska's northwest coast is fungal spores, not microscopic eggs as preliminary analysis indicated. Scientists at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center's Auke Bay Laboratory announced last week that the substance was biological in nature, rather than oil or pollution as originally thought by concerned residents of Kivalina. Per standard scientific procedure, samples were sent to NOAA's Analytical Response Team for a more thorough and detailed analysis and verification process. At NOAA's National Ocean Service Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, based in Charleston, S.C., a team of scientists highly-specialized and equipped to analyze microbiologic phenomena such as this determined that the substance is consistent with spores from a fungi that cause rust, a disease that infects only plants causing a rust-like appearance on leaves and stems. Rust fungi reproduce to infect other plants by releasing spores which disperse often times great distances by wind and water. However, whether this spore belongs to one of the 7,800 known species of rust fungi has not yet been determined. More information will be posted on the Alaska Fisheries Science Center website as it becomes available. Read more |
Northwest - NOAA, Oregon crab industry to celebrate continued marine debris partnership |
| NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco, along with other NOAA officials, joined representatives from the Oregon fishing industry and state representatives to celebrate the successful completion of one project and inaugurate a new partnership to remove derelict crab pots and other marine debris in Oregon's coastal fishing waters in a dockside event in Newport, Oregon. The ceremony marked the successful culmination of the Oregon Fishing Industry Partnership to Restore Marine Habitat, initially funded with a $699,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and led by NOAA, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, and the Oregon State Police. The success of the recovery act project, which began in 2009 has inspired a new industry-led partnership to continue the derelict crab pot removal effort. Read more |
Northwest - NOAA, Port of Newport dedicate new Marine Operations Center - Pacific facility |
| NOAA and the Port of Newport recently dedicated a new NOAA ship operations facility in Newport, Ore., during a ceremony attended by federal, state and local officials and the public. The NOAA Marine Operations Center-Pacific serves as a homeport for four NOAA research and survey ships and provides administrative, engineering, maintenance and logistical support for NOAA's Pacific fleet. Read more |
Northwest – NOAA Fisheries releases plan to help upper Willamette Chinook and steelhead salmon |
| NOAA Fisheries recently released its recovery plan for upper Willamette Chinook and steelhead, which have been listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act since 1999. Prepared jointly with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the plan is a roadmap for public and private entities and individuals, outlining how to restore natural production of spring Chinook and winter steelhead in the Willamette River and its subbasin. The plan calls for improving habitat and hatcheries and reintroducing Chinook and steelhead into habitat above dams in the North and South Santiam, McKenzie and Middle Fork Willamette rivers. The goal of the plan is to rebuild naturally self-sustaining populations that will no longer need federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA estimates the recovery of upper Willamette Chinook and steelhead salmon will take 25 years at the minimum, with a cost of at least $265 million, if the plan's actions are all implemented. Read more |
Northwest/Southwest – Pacific Fishery Management Council proposes revisions to groundfish trawl rationalization program; seeks public comment through Oct. 14 |
| The Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 21-1 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan for review by the Secretary of Commerce. Amendment 21-1 would further revise the management plan to support the trawl rationalization program, a catch share program, implemented in January 2011 through Amendments 20 and 21. Amendment 21-1 would clarify that Amendment 21 supersedes the limited entry/open access allocations for groundfish species allocated through Amendment 21. Amendment 21-1 would also revise the formula in the management plan to allocate Pacific halibut bycatch to the limited entry trawl fishery. Comments on Amendment 21-1 must be received no later than 5 p.m., local time on October 14, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Southwest – NOAA Fisheries announces availability of 5-year reviews for 6 species of Endangered Species Act-listed salmon and steelhead in California |
| NOAA Fisheries Southwest Region announces the availability of 5-year reviews for five evolutionarily significant units of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.) and one distinct population segment of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in California, as required by the Endangered Species Act. After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial data, the 5-year reviews indicate that these species should remain listed as determined in 2005 and 2006, respectively. The reviews recommend that the southward extension of boundaries for California Coastal Chinook salmon and Central California Coast coho salmon should be considered. The 5-year review also recommends that six hatchery stocks should be removed from the California Coastal Chinook salmon ESU because those hatchery programs have been terminated. Read more |
Southwest - Killer Whale Tagging Video on BBC One |
| NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center scientist John Durban is featured in the BBC series "Ocean Giants" as seen here on the BBC One website. The video clip demonstrates killer whale tagging operations as part of an ongoing study to understand killer whale predation on gray whales. |
Pacific Islands – NOAA Fisheries announces the availability of the "Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Actions"; seeks public comment through Oct. 17 |
| NOAA Fisheries announces the availability of the "Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Actions." The purpose of the Draft PEIS is to evaluate, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of implementing the alternative approaches for funding, undertaking, and permitting the management, research and enhancement activities on Hawaiian monk seals, as well as other components of the marine ecosystem and human environment. Written comments on the Draft PEIS must be postmarked by October 17, 2011. Comments may be submitted by: • E-mail: monkseal@noaa.gov • Mail: 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 9681 • Public Hearings, which will be held September 12-17. See the Federal Register notice for specific dates, times, and locations. Read more. |
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOAA Fisheries Announces Workshops on Protected Species Release, Disentanglement, and Identification and Atlantic Shark Identification in September
NOAA Fisheries will hold free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops in September of 2011. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and maintain valid permits. The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted during 2011. Click here for more information, dates, and locations.Deadline for Smart Gear Design Competition is Aug. 31; $30K in Prize Money Available
The deadline for the 2011 International Smart Gear Competition is August 31. The competition is designed to find and highlight innovative ways to reduce fisheries bycatch. Along with the organizer the World Wildlife Fund, NOAA, Fondation Segré, ISSF, and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans are supporting the 2011 competition which is open to anyone from fishermen to backyard inventors and students. The 2011 competition is offering a grand prize of $30,000 and two $10,000 runner-up prizes. Additionally, in partnership with the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), the competition is offering a $7,500 special tuna prize that will be awarded to the idea that will reduce the amount of bycatch found in tuna fisheries. Tuna sustainability is the top WWF global fisheries conservation priority.Upcoming Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting Sept. 12-19, San Mateo, California; Open to the Public
The Pacific Fishery Management Council and its advisory bodies will meet September 12-19, 2011 in San Mateo, California to address issues related to groundfish, highly migratory species, salmon, Pacific halibut, and habitat matters. All meetings are open to the public, except a closed session of the Council to be held at the end of the business day on Wednesday, September 14 to discuss litigation and personnel matters. Please visit the "Current Council Meeting" webpage for the meeting notice and agenda details.National Ocean Council's Ocean Research Advisory Panel Seeking Nominations for Membership; Deadline is Sept. 15
The National Ocean Council's (NOC) Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP) is seeking nominations for membership. The deadline is September 15, 2011. Full details, including nomination requirements, are available online. Anyone (including any organization) may nominate qualified individuals (including one's self) for membership on the panel. This is an important opportunity to engage stakeholders and members of the ocean community in a formal process for advising the NOC. Please consider providing a nomination and sharing this nomination announcement with your constituencies.As an official Federal Advisory Committee, ORAP provides advice to the NOC on policies, procedures, and other responsibilities relevant to implementation of the National Ocean Policy. Current ORAP members include representatives of the National Academies, ocean industries, State governments, academia, and others, including eminent individuals in the fields of marine science, marine policy, and related areas such as ocean resource management. Six seats will become vacant in the summer of 2012, and the goal is to balance ORAP membership to the extent possible to capture a range of geographic and sector representation and experience.
Funding Available for Habitat Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico; Proposals Due Sept. 15, 2011
The Gulf of Mexico Community-based Restoration Partnership (GCRP) invites proposals for its eleventh round of citizen-driven habitat restoration projects. The partnership is seeking to fund on-the-ground projects to restore marine, estuarine, and riparian habitats to benefit living marine resources and to provide educational and social benefits by significantly involving the community. Proposals must be received by the Gulf of Mexico Foundation office no later than 5:00 p.m. CDT September 15, 2011. Click here for proposal guidelines and application instructions.Sept. 17: Roll Your Sleeves Up and Get Ready for the 2011 International Coastal Cleanup!
Join NOAA staff and folks around the world on Saturday, September 17 and help keep the sea free of debris! For easy tips on other ways you can help stop marine debris, visit the Keep the Coast Clear campaign. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is a proud sponsor of the International Coastal Cleanup. Visit http://www.oceanconservancy.Sept. 20-22: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Meeting, Silver Spring, MD
NOAA Fisheries will hold a meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel on September 20-22, 2011, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Information on the venue and agenda will be provided at a later date. The meeting is open to the public.At the September 2011 meeting, NOAA Fisheries plans to discuss Atlantic bluefin tuna management, revitalizing the swordfish fishery, the future of the shark fishery, other shark fishery management issues, and items contained in the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that published June 1, 2009. The meeting may also continue discussions on the implementation of 2010 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas measures, an update on the recreational action plan for Atlantic highly migratory species, permitting and management options for swordfish and smoothhound sharks in trawl fisheries, electronic dealer reporting, vessel monitoring systems, and monitoring methods for Atlantic highly migratory species fisheries. NOAA Fisheries also plans to hold a shark catch share workshop for interested fishermen after the advisory panel meeting. Read more
Due Sept. 30: Proposals for Species Recovery Grants to Tribes Program
NOAA Fisheries is now accepting proposals for the 2012 Species Recovery Grants to Tribes Program. This program supports tribally led recovery efforts that directly benefit the following eligible species under NOAA Fisheries or joint NOAA Fisheries-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service jurisdiction:• species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), excluding Pacific salmonids (proposals focusing on listed Pacific salmon or steelhead will not be considered for funding under this grant program; such projects may be supported through Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund)
• recently de-listed species
• candidate species
• species proposed for listing under the ESA
Recovery efforts supported by the program may involve management, research, outreach activities, and any combination thereof. Eligible applicants are federally recognized tribes. Proposals should be submitted through Grants.gov. For applicants without internet access, hard copies may be submitted (by postal mail or commercial delivery) to:
NMFS Office of Protected Resources
Attn: Sean Ledwin
1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3
Silver Spring, MD 20910
The deadline for the 2012 application is September 30, 2011. Read more
Due Oct. 7: Funding Opportunities for 2012 Monkfish and Scallop Research Set Aside Programs
NOAA Fisheries, in coordination with the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, is soliciting monkfish research proposals to utilize 500 Monkfish Days-at-Sea (DAS) that have been set-aside by the Councils to fund monkfish research endeavors through the 2012 Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program. No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification. Rather, proceeds generated from the sale of monkfish harvested during a set-aside DAS will be used to fund research activities and compensate vessels that participate in research activities and/or harvest set-aside quota. Projects funded under this program must enhance the knowledge of the monkfish fishery resource or contribute to the body of information on which monkfish management decisions are made. Priority will be given to monkfish research proposals that investigate research priorities identified by the Councils and detailed under the Program Priorities section of this announcement. Full proposals must be received and validated by Grants.gov on or before 5 p.m. EST on Friday October 7, 2011. Read moreNOAA Fisheries, in coordination with the New England Fishery Management Council, is also soliciting Atlantic Sea Scallop research proposals to utilize scallop Total Allowable Catch (TAC) that has been set-aside by the Council to fund scallop research endeavors through the 2012 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program (March 1, 2012-February 28, 2013). No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification. Rather, proceeds generated from the sale of research set aside quota will be used to fund research activities and compensate vessels that participate in research activities and/or harvest set-aside quota. Projects funded under the Scallop Research Set Aside Program must enhance the knowledge of the scallop fishery resource or contribute to the body of information on which scallop management decisions are made. Priority will be given to scallop research proposals that investigate research priorities identified by the Council, which are detailed under the Program Priorities section of this announcement. Full proposals must be received and validated by Grants.gov on or before 5 p.m. EST on Friday, October 7, 2011. Read more
Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center Seeks Nominations for National System of MPAs; Due Oct. 31
The MPA Center has announced that the nomination process for existing sites to nominate themselves for inclusion in the national system of MPAs is now open. Eligible federal, state, territorial, and tribal MPA programs are invited to nominate some or all of their sites by October 31, 2011. Currently, 297 federal, state and territorial sites are members of the national system, which provides coordination, technical assistance, training and grants to existing MPAs to enhance collaborative stewardship of marine resources. The national system does not impose any new restrictions on access or use within existing MPAs. All nominated sites will be announced in the Federal Register and available for public comment on www.mpa.gov. After final review by the managing agency and the MPA Center, mutually agreed upon MPAs will be accepted into the national system. To see sites eligible for the national system, visit: http://www.mpa.gov/pdf/FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIONS
For a list of only those actions open for public comment, go to http://www.regulations.gov and scroll search for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For a list of all daily actions, check the Federal register online
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